Reuters is reporting that Edward Snowden is en route from Hong Kong to Venezuela via Moscow and Cuba, where he intends to seek temporary asylum in the Latin American country with troubled US relations.

1. He Left Without Any Help from Hong Kong Authorities

US whistle-blower Edward Snowden has left Hong Kong on a commercial flight to Russia. He left “on his own will” and did not have any help or protection from Hong Kong authorities, a government source told the South China Morning Post.

2. Hong Kong Denied the US’s Request for Extradition

“Since the documents provided by the U.S. government did not fully comply with the legal requirements under Hong Kong law, the HKSAR government has requested the U.S. government to provide additional information,” Hong Kong officials said.
Because Hong Kong didn’t have enough information, “there is no legal basis to restrict Mr. Snowden from leaving Hong Kong,” the government said.

3. Snowden is Being Charged Under the Espionage Act of 1917

The Espionage Act has been used to charge people in many infamous US court cases. Wikipedia cites:

4. Snowden’s Final Destination Might be Ecuador or Iceland

While Iceland refused to comment on rumors that it would grant Snowden asylum, Ecuador’s Foreign Minister is quoted in China Weekly as saying:

“Mr. Snowden may ask the Ecuadorian government for asylum, if he wants, and of course we will examine his request, as we did with Assange (WikiLeaks founder),” Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino was quoted by local media as saying.

5. Snowden has Arrived in Moscow

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Sam Princecovers social media trends and breaking news for Heavy. He is a New York City-based actor and singer who tours internationally with a Four Seasons tribute band and has appeared on various television shows and Broadway. Email him at sam@heavy.com and find him on Twitter @thesamprince. Read and subscribe to his blog here.June 23, 2013 10:39 am